Inquest into Valerie Kneale's death returns spotlight to hospital murder that hasn't been solved

PLUS: Circumstances that led to death of an Irish man, washed up in Blackpool, to be examined

Hello and welcome to The Blackpool Lead.

Our reporting has been very inquest-focused over the last week and, unfortunately, that continues today.

Valerie Kneale was killed by violent sexual assaults and her death is one of the most high profile in Blackpool Victoria Hospital’s history. Nobody has ever been charged in connection with her death.

The inquest into her death is due to run until Friday (5 September) but it is unlikely to mean any breakthrough from a criminal perspective. We’ve looked in some detail at the background to this appalling, and very sad, story.

On Tuesday, an inquest opened into the death of Irish man Gerard Fitzgerald, whose body washed up on Cleveleys beach and led to significant media interest - and criticism from police regarding the behaviour of people pointing their phones at the body.

Cause of death of Irish man whose body washed up in Cleveleys not yet known

By Jamie Lopez

The cause of death of an Irish man whose body washed up on Cleveleys beach is not yet known.

An inquest examining the death of Gerard Fitzgerald was opened and adjourned at Blackpool Town Hall on Tuesday (2 September) and heard that Mr Fitzgerald’s body was found by children playing on the beach on August 7.

Margaret Taylor, area coroner, explained that the 39-year-old was born in Dublin, last lived in Bray, County Wicklow, and worked as a freelance photographer.

She said dental records were used to confirm his identity on August 20 and that a post-mortem carried out by Home Office pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd could not identify a cause of death.

Addressing Mr Fitzgerald’s brother who attended the inquest remotely, Ms Taylor said a full inquest was needed and would take place on January 9.

She said: “Between now and January it is our intention to gain as much information as we can to see if we can possibly ascertain how it was that Gerard ended up in the water and washed up on to the beach.”

---

Recommended reading this week

🕰️ A Countdown champion who denied stabbing a rival quiz champion at a rematch event in Lancashire is set to stand trial at Preston Crown Court. John Cowen will appear for trial on September 9. The 30-year-old is accused of wounding with intent and two counts of possession of a bladed article. Cowen, who appeared on the popular TV quiz show in 2017, is accused of allegedly attacking fellow quizzer Thomas Carey with a knife at the Countdown in Blackpool 2024 event at the Wainwright Club in Hornby Road on September 14. Report here.

⚽ A blue plaque recognising Blackpool fans' fight against their former owners has been unveiled. The supporters instigated an unwavering four-year boycott of the club during the Oyston family's turbulent reign, which resulted in change at the League One side. The BBC reports here.

💡 As well as the big names like Olly Murs and Toploader, the thousands of people in the crowd at this year’s Blackpool Illuminations switch on were treated to a special performance from some rising stars. The Gazette has a gallery of images from the event.

The killer who escaped justice twice

Valerie Kneale

By Michael Holmes

Valerie Kneale’s murder should never have been spotted.

Her death had been blamed on a stroke and medics had seemingly dismissed the blood pouring from her genitals.

The grandmother’s loved ones had arranged her funeral and prepared their last goodbyes.

And then, by little more than chance, police came knocking.

Tipped off by a work experience girl with a conscience, detectives had launched what was dubbed in the local press a “poison plot probe” - an investigation into the illegal drugging of stroke ward patients to keep them sedated at night and give staff an easy ride.

Funerals were called off and post-mortem examinations ordered.

It was after those tests took place that a pathologist revealed to police what had really happened to Mrs Kneale, 75.